Rubens, Pieter Paul

Siegen, Westfalia, 1577 - Amberes, 1640

Diana and Callisto

Ca. 1635. Oil on canvas, 202.6 x 325.5 cm.

The Roman poet Ovid, in his book Metamorphosis (III, 401-532), tells the story of Diana and the nymph Callisto. Zeus was attracted to the nymph and took the form of Diana to seduce and rape her. Diana, goddess of the moon, the hunt and chastity, punished Callisto. Rubens represents the most dramatic moment of the story: As Diana and her nymphs prepare to take a bath Callisto reveals her pregnancy. Ashamed, she tries to cover herself with her clothes. To the left, with the moon on her head, is Diana.

Rubens presents his own interpretation of the mythological story, focusing on Callisto rather than Diana, and charging the image with sensuality and eroticism, characteristics of his later works.

This painting is first documented when it belonged to the Spanish royal collection in 1666.